Sunday, September 29, 2013

Runway The Real Way at Yotel Fashion Week Brunch

During Fashion Week, we were invited by Catherine Schuller to participate in her Runway the Real Way at YOTEL HOTEL near Times Square. Catherine wore a necklace and a dress from the designers featured during the show, in YOTEL's signature color of purple. (Click on photos to enlarge or to view slide show.)

Catherine (left), who is Vice President of Marketing for the Association of Image Consultants International and a famous plus-size model and spokesperson, approached us to walk in the show she curated and produced at YOTEL HOTEL for a fashion week brunch on Sunday, September 8th. Her philosophy is that in order for the runway to be real, there needs to be diversity among the models based on age, race, gender and size. For Catherine's report about the event, click here.

When we arrived, Catherine wasn't quite sure whose styles she'd have us wear, but when we saw Victor-John Villanueva (whom we'd first met a year ago at the Yayoi Kusama opening), we asked if we could wear his work. Victor's brand is called 3PTPOP. He also has shirts and leggings with the beaded images screenprinted onto them. A big Andy Warhol fan, here's Victor in his Velvet Underground tee shirt. (Banana by Andy.)

Here are a few of Victor's medallions, all intricately made of plastic beads. The two on the far right are both Victor personae. No doubt you recognize Grace Jones and Bill Cunningham next to them.

Originally, Valerie was going to wear 3PTPOP's Grace Jones medallion, but puh-leeze! After they put Grace-like make-up on Jordan (at Valerie's suggestion!), there was no contest who could carry it off better.

Here's Susan Grant and our pal Suzanne Golden. Suzanne has her very own medallion!

Want a closer look?

Here's Cameron before his transformation...

And here's runway-ready Cameron wearing a pair of the previously mentioned 3PTPOP tee shirt and leggings.

Victor wasn't the only vendor. We can't show you all of them, but OF COURSE, we have to show you Evetta Perry, a milliner whose work we greatly admire. She had plenty of fabulous, seriously chic hats, but here Evetta shows her sense of humor with a sushi plate hat (which she's wearing), and a petits fours plate hat. For more information about Evetta's Harlem's Heaven Hats, click here:

This black and white dress made of felt was one of our favorites in the show.

This shot gives you an idea of the diversity among the models.

Behind this blonde bombshell is a shot of Evetta and her hats.

How absolutely terrific does this woman look in Evetta's green flowered straw hat?

This model knew exactly how to show off this dress. It looked fabulous before she showed its flare (and its flair!), but when she saw the camera, she really went into action.

Needless to say, there was no shortage of attitude among the models assembled that day. Everyone was "on" and ready to go just like this woman in a white jumpsuit.

We both wanted this hat!

As it got closer to showtime, everyone gathered behind the entryway. Everything was very well choreographed. We had a rehearsal beforehand, and there was a major domo-type at the entrance, making sure there were no unplanned gaps between models, and no one rushing out before her (or his) allotted time.

Since we were wearing our own clothes and just adding accessories, we had lots less to do to get ready. While everyone else was dashing around, it wasn't our turn yet, so we got to sit and take it easy. Sort of. The odd angle of the photograph reflects the very tight space we were in. You can see someone's luggage behind Jean. Everything was everywhere, and in the mad rush there was no time to organize. (The Andy Warhol fan by Jean is one of many that Victor was giving out - all images from his line. Further below you'll see Valerie with a Grace Jones fan.)

2 comments:

I so want to wear the Bill Cunningham medallion - talk to Victor for me, will you?? It says a lot that you two could wear your own outfits in the show and out-style the models. What cool models - love the range of ages and sizes. Some drool-worthy hats in there too...ooh, would have loved to have been there!

About Us

GROWING OLD WITH VERVE
‘Growing old gracefully’ is an outdated concept. We prefer ‘growing old with verve’. This blog documents our efforts to live up to that motto, in photos and essays. We embrace our gray hair, while sharing the playground nicely with our younger siblings. Bette Davis was right when she said 'growing old is not for sissies', but it’s also not one of Dante’s circles of hell. Idiosyncratic Fashionistas explores what’s out there for Women of a Certain Age, comments on what’s not out there, and demonstrates that our overlooked demographic is still fabulous.
AND see our long awaited and much ballyhooed public access tv debut, in which we model 12 great hats in 28 minutes:
http://www.blip.tv/file/3206182/
AND see us on StyleLikeU:
http://stylelikeu.com/closets/valerie-and-jean/#comments.
You can visit our complete weekly postings, dating back to August 2, 2009. We update VERY late every Sunday.
THE IDIOSYNCRATIC FASHIONISTAS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATIONS ON RETAIL FASHION PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. To paraphrase Freud, 'What do women of a certain age want?' We know! Ask us. Contact mono.crone@gmail.com.